halve

[ hav, hahv ]

verb (used with object)

, halved, halv·ing.

1. to divide into two equal parts.
2. to share equally:

   to halve one's rations with a stranger.

3. to reduce to half.
4. Golf. to play (a hole, round, or match) in the same number of strokes as one's opponent.

halve

/ hɑːv /

verb

1. to divide into two approximately equal parts
2. to share equally
3. to reduce by half, as by cutting
4. golf to take the same number of strokes on (a hole or round) as one's opponent

Other Words From

• un·halved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of halve¹

1250–1300; Middle English halven, derivative of half

Word History and Origins

Origin of halve¹

Old English hielfan; related to Middle High German helben; see half

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. halve together, to join (two pieces of wood) by cutting from one, at the place of joining, a portion fitting to that left solid in the other.

Example Sentences

She told us of “one conversation I had along the lines of, ‘Well, Suella, if you want to halve net migration to 300,000, you realise that's going to cost us £3 billion.

From BBC

They said there was a "clear mission" to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

From BBC

My daughter is doing some maths revision with me at the moment, working out the area of triangles - you multiply the height by the width, then halve it.

From BBC

The Labour government recently announced plans to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade, focusing on reforms that emphasise education and the accountability of perpetrators.

From BBC

The UK government has pledged to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

From BBC